Punch: Punch (96.1889)

February 23, 1889.]

PUNCH, OP THE LONDON CHARIVARI.

9)

House of Commons, Wednesday.—New Session, opens to-morrow ;
old one seems to have closed only yesterday. Time coming when
we shall refuse to make two bites at cherry, and, meeting on 1st
of January, shall adjourn on Christmas Eye, as we did last year.
Found Old Morality here taking last glance round before battle
begins. Looks plump and pleasant. Has laid in new stock of copy-
book headings, a few culled from foreign languages.

“ A little more flowery some of them,” he said, affectionately
burning over leaves of stout note-hook, “but I fancy they’ll fit in.”
“ Heard you were not coming hack,” I said. “ Reported that you
were going a step higher to consort with the Barons of England.”

“ Well, if you listen attentively you may hear a good deal of me
that is not actually consonant with truth. Never was any founda-
tion for this particular fable. Shall never desert the Commons until
they wear me out.”

Glad to hear this. Old Morality not as brilliant as Dizzy, nor as
eloquent as Gladstone. But everybody likes him, and wishes him
luck in the new Session.

Business done— Going to begin.